A total of 2,488 medals, each weighing 500g, have been produced - with 812 gold, 812 silver and 864 bronze.

They were made with "sustainability at their heart", say organisers.

The gold medals are free from mercury, the silver and bronze medals are made from 30% recycled materials, and half of the plastic in their ribbons is from recycled plastic bottles.

The designs feature laurel leaves - a symbol of victory in ancient Greece - surrounding the Rio 2016 logo, and organisers say they celebrate "the relationship between the strengths of Olympic heroes and the forces of nature".

Meanwhile 2642 medals were made for the Paralympic Games, which feature a special innovation. They have a tiny device inside which makes a noise when the medal is shaken, allowing visually impaired athletes to know if they are gold, silver or bronze (gold has the loudest noise, bronze the quietest).

(Excerpts from BBC Sport)